Home to inspiring sights, like the rugged hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park and the staggering peaks of Grand Teton National Park, the country’s top parks offer some of the most captivating locations around the world for photographers. Few places across the U.S. can rival the picturesque combination of majestic wildlife and dramatic landscapes found in America’s scenic national parks. So, if you’re headed to one of the country’s historic parks for an epic photo shoot, read these pro tips to ensure your photos are as striking as America’s breathtaking backdrops.

Ask a Ranger for Ideal Vantage Points

When it comes to finding the perfect angles inside America’s national parks, a park ranger can be your ally. Not only do rangers know where to find scenic spots, they know where the animals are most active and where unexpected viewing areas are at sunrise and sunset. Plus, they can offer you insider tips on the park’s hidden treasures, which will provide you with unique perspectives. Rangers can also help answer any questions you have about photography rules and regulations.

Bring Your Tripod

Most professionals don’t leave home without their tripods, and for good reason. Tripods help keep your camera steady, allowing for more detailed shots. In addition, tripods are key to shooting long exposures, a technique that keeps your camera’s shutter open for 30 to 60 seconds, enabling you to capture more light and motion in your pictures.

Know the Rules

The last thing you want to do is reach Denali National Park only to find out you need a permit to shoot. Before you go, read the park’s rules thoroughly. Although most parks allow photography, many have strict stipulations, such as no video filming without professional permits from park rangers.

Start Early and Stay Late

If you’re in the park during prime visiting times (summertime and national holidays), there’s a large chance you’re going to run into swarms of visitors while you’re trying to shoot. To avoid heavy crowds, hit the park during sunrise, which is when the majority of tourists are still asleep. Plus, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful natural light and gorgeous colors.

The same applies for shooting at sunset. Most people leave the parks before dinner, giving you more room to shoot. Plus, the best light can be found as the sun is low along the horizon (also known as the golden hour). At this time, abundant wildlife can often be found roaming and grazing, so it’s a great time to practice shooting silhouettes.

Remember to Put Down the Camera to Take in Your Surroundings

Even if you have limited time, it’s important to put the camera down and soak in your surroundings. Doing so will give your eyes a chance to adjust, and will allow you time to strategically map out your compositions. And sometimes, it’s easy to lose the big picture when you’re staring through a view finder, so taking a break can help you better conceptualize your shot.

Get Off the Beaten Path

Instead of staying in the car or on a guided tour, hit the trails on your own. The country’s national parks offer thousands of miles of preserved hiking trails, which take you deep into the forests, galleys, gorges and rivers that make each one unique. You’ll not only get away from hordes of fellow visitors, but will also have a better travel experience (and in turn, will take better photos).

Be Creative

America’s national parks contain some of the most photographed landmarks in the U.S., which can be both a blessing and a curse for photographers. On the one hand, with a myriad of impressive photos capturing the country’s most jaw-dropping scenes, it’s easy to find inspiration. However, it also makes it hard to find distinctive angles when shooting the same scenes as millions of other photographers. To avoid taking a cliché photo, don’t shy away from getting creative with your shots. Instead of capturing your subject head on, tilt the camera to get a unique angle. Or, play with polarizing filters to increase the contrast. And when editing, add filters or convert your images to black and white to affect the lighting and mood of your pictures. There are really no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to photography, so have fun while you’re out there.

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Tips for Photographing America’s National Parks originally appeared on usnews.com